STATE POLICE REPORT

CALENDAR YEAR-1949 FOR STATE HIGHWAY

REPORT-FISCAL YEAR 49·50

September 1, 1950

To the Chairman and Members of the State Highway Commission Dovel', Delaware

Gentlemen: I respectfully submit herewith a report of the activities of the State Police Division for the calendar year 1949. The report includes the important items in each of the State Police Divisions. The excellent support and assistance rendered by the members of the State Highway Commission is sincerely appreciated.

Very truly yours, Colonel Harry S. Shew, Superintendent

136 ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION The first half of the twentieth century is now history and the year, 1949, marked another milestone in the prog­ resS of the Delaware State Police. Since the Department was officially created by an act of legislation in 1923, it has expanded until today it is ranked as one of the best State Police departments in the country. Proper organization is important to a police depart­ ment, for without it, there can be no great degree of efficien­ cy. An efficient agency is likely to have the confidence of the public, such confidence being particularly necessary in the operation of any police department. Administration is management and leadership which results in a coordination of effort. From the following or­ ganization chart, it will be noted that there are three main divisions within the Department: the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Training and Personnel Division, and the Bureau of Traffic. These divisions have jurisdiction over the field units or troops relative to the activities with which each division is concerned. The diagram shows clearly the lines of authority with no overlapping of work. The Commanding Officer of this Department was hon­ ored this year when Governor Elbert N. Carvel affixed his signature to the first measure passed by the last General Assembly. This bill called for amendment to the law relat­ ing to the State Police by the addition of the phrase: "Pro­ vided that the Superintendent of said State Police shall hold the rank of Colonel and shall be so classified by the said Department." The efficiency of the State Police in coping with crime was highlighted when a routine investigation unearthed one of the most gruesome crimes ever to be perpetrated in this State. The case, later to be known as the "Lonely Hearts" murder case, involved a mother and her three sons who lured an old man through a "Lonely Hearts" Club to her home for the purported purpose of murdering him for a few paltry dollars. All eyes of the nation were focused up­ on the State of Delaware for the eventual outcome of this case, which resulted in convictions for all those connected with the crime. Delaware was again put in the "limelight" when on October 26, 1949, eight armed convicts broke out of the New Castle County Workhouse, setting off a manhunt in which

137 all of the law enforcement agencies of the city, county, State and nearby states were immediately involved. The manner in which all eight convicts were re-captured re­ flects the effectiveness of the cooperation among police au­ thorities all over the country. Six veteran State Police officers retired on pension this year; however, the force was augmented by the appoint­ ment of thirteen (13) new troopers. The Department con­ sisted of 120 uniformed men as of December 31, 1949.

138 ASSIGNMENT OF PERSONNEL DELAWARE STATE POLICE HIAOQUARTtAS- __ • 12 ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL CHART TAOOP L ._ _ 20 NOVEMBER 1.1949 TROOP _ __ 33 TROOP 3 _ __ 19 TROOP 04. __ ...... •• 18 TROOP 5_...... _. __ • 18

TOTAL._ ..._. __ 120

f-' co ~ COMMUNICATIONS Through the advancement of the art of radio com­ munications since the close of World War II, many new uses have been developed for this type of equipment. The Depart­ ment has kept abreast of these changes by constantly mod­ ifying present equipment in order that it may be used to a greater advantage. One example of the application of these advancements can be observed at Troop '5', Bridgeville. By re-Iocating the transmitting equipment and taking advan­ tage of the scientific advancement in radio wave propaga­ tion, together with remote control operation, greater com­ munication coverage is being obtained at present than here­ tofore. A similar application of this principal has also been applied to Troop '1' at Penny Hill. Since the service ren­ dered from the other three troops has been of the highest quality, the system as a whole can be considered as rating among the most efficient being used by any police organiza­ tion. Communication points with the Marylano State Po­ lice, have been increased from one to three different Sta­ tions. The "Pack Set," a small portable radio that can be used at any location and is most convenient to carry, has proven itself a real asset in investigative work. In the past year, these units have been used in wooded areas, aero­ planes and the emergency boat. They enable the officer to be in constant contact with his Troup or temporary control point while a search is in progress for missing or wanted persons. The Communications Division conducted a School con­ cerning the use of emergency equipment. The classes were small so that all details of the use of this equipment could be understood by each individual officer. A problem was given at the end of each class enabling each student to ac­ tually put the equipment into operation. Communications statistics follow: Year ending Year ending Dec. 31, 1948 Dec. 31. 1949 Radio messages sent...... 45,673 47,629 Radio messag-es received 155,551 203,627 Teletype messag-es sent '" ...... 1,301 1,346 Teletype messages received...... 27,700 24,850 Fixed radio stations 5 5 Radio equipped vehicles...... 59 63 Coordinated services ...... 8 8

140 141 TRAFFIC DIVISION Delaware highways which are considered to be among the finest in the nation, are patrolled 24 hours daily by the State Police. The responsibility consists of protecting 3910 miles of rural highways, as well as giving assistance to local city and town police departments, except the city of Wil­ mington, in accident investigation and traffic law enforce­ ment. In the rural area there are 509.35 miles of primary roads, 1,217.66 miles of secondary roads and 2,183.01 of local roads. The primary roads carry a large volume of traf­ fic, a great percentage of which is out-of-State transient travel. Traffic accident statistics reflect that certain roads need constant patrol strength during certain hours in an effort to reduce accidents. Last year (1949) the State Po­ lice patrolled 2,359,558 miles, which indicates most roads were patrolled very well. Despite an estimated 11 % increase in miles travelled, as well as a 9% increase in new car registration in this State, no increase in motor vehicle fatalities was reported. This was accomplished in the face of a nationally rising tide of motor vehicle deaths.

MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS There were reported to the State Police during the year 2,729 traffic accidents. In each instance, an on-the-scene in­ vestigation was conducted. The objective of these investiga­ tions was: 1. To determine if a violation of the law caused the accident, and if so, to gather evidence to prosecute the violator. 2. To gather data to be used in the prevention of future accidents. As a result of the first objective, 1,649 persons were prosecuted for accident creating violations. Of this total, approximately 94 % were convicted. The second objective resulted in information being dis­ seminated to the Traffic Engineer's office for use in estab­ lishing further safeguards, to educational authorities for use in properly directing their safety activities and to patrol officers to direct their enforcement activities. Some of the pertinent data reveals that in the total of 2,729 accidents, there were 62 which resulted in 71 persons

142 being killed; 772 in which 1,133 persons were injured; and 1,895 which resulted in property damage only. The death rate was 4% lower than during 1948. Other data giving a graphical and detailed analysis can be obtained upon request to the Traffic Division.

TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT During the year, there were 11.838 arrests made for violations of the traffic laws by the State Police. Of these, 11,594, or 98%, resulted in convictions. Since the primary purpose of traffic enforcement is to prevent accidents, the greatest attention was given to acci­ dent-producing violations. As a result, 73%, or 8,276 of the total number of arrests were for dangerous moving viola­ tions. The annual enforcement index which is the ratio be­ tween convictions for dangerous moving violations and the number of fatal and personal injury accidents was 14. The list of offenses and the number of arrests for each is as follows: ARRESTS MADE FOR DANGEROUS MOVING VIOLATIONS Year '49 Operating- under the influence 213 Speed violations 4092 Right-of-way 226 Wrong side of road ...... 232 Reckless driving 557 Improper passing 497 Failure to signal 79 Improper turning 215 Disregard stop sign and signal...... 1216 Other sign and signal violations ...... 40 Assault and battery by motor vehicle. .. . 20 Manslaughter 13 Miscellaneous dangerous moving violations 191

ARRESTS MADE FOR EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS Year '49 Lig-ht violations 40 Brake violations 335 Flare violations 321 Other equipment violations...... 39

ARRESTS MADE FOR PEDESTRIAK VIOLATIONS Pedestrian intoxication 304 Other pedestrian violations ...... 17

143 ARRESTS MADE FOR LICENSE AND REGISTRATION VIOLATIONS Driver license violations...... 746 Registration and title violations 165

ARRESTS :MADE FOR MISCELLANEOUS VIOLATIONS Parking violations 101 Oversize and overweight violations 1965 Leaving scene and failure to report accident...... 102 Operating motor vehicle without consent...... 34 Others 78 Written reprimands, or notices of violations, were is­ sued for unsafe driving practices, faulty equipment, or im­ proper license or registration in 128,145 instances. 2,780 reprimands were issued to pedestrians for unsafe walking practices. The total number of arrests and reprimands was 138,­ 983. Since some operators were warned for more than one violation, it is estimated that at least 90,000 safety educa­ tional contacts were made with motorists and pedestrians during the year. In cases where equipment was faulty to the extent that it was unsafe for operation, an "inspection notice" was is­ sued to the motorist which required the vehicle to be pre­ sented to the State Inspection Lane for a complete safety inspection or be penalized by suspension of registration. Notices issned were 1,120.

School Bus Inspection For the past three years, the State Police in coopera­ tion with the Department of Public Instruction, have con­ ducted a school bus inspection. This inspection included every bus carrying students to Delaware schools and covered not only the legal requirements but also regulations set forth by the Department of Public Instruction. As a result of this 3-year program, the buses with the exception of a few minor instances were in excellent condition.

144 THE ECONOMIC LOSS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN RURAL DELAWARE IN 1949 WAS AT lEAST

THE PERSONS KILLED IN RURAL DELAWARE IN 1949 WOULD HAVE FILLED 2 BUSSES

THE ONES INJURED WOULD HAVE FILLED THE BIGGEST HOSPITAL IN DELAWARE 3 TIMES

, • I'I I : I , I

I I , : I I : I It: : II t I I i II III II III • I I ~ I I • I,' I I I . . , I " ,

145 RURAL FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY DAY OF THE WEEK PERCENT PERCENT 25 25 20.9 20 IV.I

~ ~ ~ ...... u - 15

10

5 5

0 SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRI. SAT. 0 RURAL FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY HOUR OF THE DAY

• A.M. P.M.

PERCENT PERCENT 9.0 9,0 8S 8.5

ao 7.2 70 ao 7.5 7.5 7.0 7.0 """'..,. / 6.5 6.2 -l 6.5 6.5 6.0 H"'''' 5.8 6.0 M 5.+ 5.S 5.5 5.0 5.0 4.' ".9 5.0 4.5 4.2 (u /. H #. , 4.5 3.8 ., I S 4.0 f----­ 4.0 .33 uA: 3.5 3.5 28 2.7 31 ~/ IT 3.0 f-­ 3.0 1.5 2.5 2.5 19 20 1.7 1.7 2.0 /.3 // LS f-­ 1.5 LO ; AS Iii 1.0 0.5 " 0.5 ,. ... i ,.",. .·:.'1 / 01 ) I < 0.0 12M I 2 3 ~ 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12M 1 2 3 4- 5 , 7 8 9 10 II HOURS TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO TO I 1 3 ~ 5 6 7 a 9 10 II 11 1 2 3 ~ 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 tttttttttttttttt THIS MANY PEDESTRIANS WERE KILLED IN 1949: SIXTEEN

THEY WERE CROSSING NOT AT INTERSECTION 7 WALKING IN ROADWAY 4 CROSSING AT INTERSECTlON 2 COMING FROM BEHIND PARKED CARS ..:! WORKING ON VEHICLE IN ROADWAY ..1 UNKNOWN 1

148 CRIMINAL DIVISION Following is the tenth annual report of the Delaware State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identi­ fication, covering the calendar year, January 1, 1949 to De­ cember 31, 1949: Crime in rural Delaware increased 11 % over the 1948 figure. A total of 4,639 cases were investigated by the State Police, of which 86% were cleared through either arrest or investigation. Auto thefts increased with a total of 88 cars being stolen in rural Delaware, with 85 of them being recovered by the end of the calendar year. In an effort to prevent crime the State Police continued to conduct nightly checks of business places throughout the State. This policy has proven of great value, with the frequent arrest of persons committing crimes by officers on patrol. The continuous surveillance of bu-;iness places has a tendency to prevent criminals who are bent on breaking into a building, or dwelling, to realize that the police may arrive at any time to check the building. The type of efficient criminal investigation, selection of evidence, road blocks, and aoprehensions, i" outlined in the following case. This case is but one of many handled by the Department, and definitely proves the value of trained men in investigative work. In rapid succession from July 31, 1949 to August 5, 1949, a series of safe burglaries were reoorted from the lower part of the State. In each instance the "modus oper­ andi" was much the same. It was learned that the intruders wore gloves, when necessary a brace and bit was used to bore holes in making the entry easier, and the safe was in­ variably loaded on a vehicle and taken away. When the safes were found it was learned that they had all been opened in the same manner. It was apparent from the initial investigation that these burglaries had been committed by the same persons. The State Police started an investil;ation to learn the iden­ tity of the "Safe Crackers." As clues at the crime scenes were meager, a search was conducted throughout the coun­ tryside. A report from a hardware dealer describing a stranger desiring to buy a brace and bit was investigated. On August 5, the sharp-eyed proprietor of a roadside fruit

149 stand was questioned about strangers who bore a marked resemblance to each other. They had stopped at his stand and eaten some fruit, stating that they were going fishing. The informant seeing no fishing gear became suspicious. He was able to give the officers a description of the men and the truck they were operating. Many such bits of informa­ tion were received, carefully examined and filed. Piece by piece they were fitted together to form the basis of further investigation. There were several checks in the safes which had been burglarized, and the State Police, assuming that the thieves would try to cash some of them, notified the banks in that area to be on the lookout for them. On August 8, a stranger tried to cash a check in a Dover bank, but left, taking the check with him, when an attempt was made to verify it. Police were alerted and an officer apprehended the man as he tried to cash the same check at another bank. In his possession when arrested were other checks taken from the rifled safes. Still missing was the truck which had been reported at a local chain store, where another check had been cashed. Road blocks were established, and Troopers were called in and dispatched to strategic areas, keeping in constant radio comunication with the control center. At about 2 :30 p.m. a Trooper sighted the vehicle near Harrington, Delaware and gave chase. The driver turned onto a dirt road and there abondoned the truck and escaped into a dense thicket. The area was promptly surrounded by Troopers who searched the woods throughout the night. The following morning, weakened by a night spent in the swampy and mosquito in­ fested woods, the sub.iect of the search was apPrehended after a short chase, when he entered the town of Houston. These men were identified as William P. and Herbert Napier of Pittsburg, Kentucky. They and their families had been following a nomadic existence from the time they had left Kentucky until their activities were interrupted by arrest. The trailer used as a home by both families was located at a gas station near Ocean City, Maryland. Both of these men were found to have criminal records in West Virginia and Kentucky. Their plan had been to make several swift raids on business places in Sussex County, pocket the proceeds, and move on to another location.

150 Subsequently, both men were convicted and sentenced to serve six months in the Sussex County Prison and to receive ten (10) lashes each. Modern police methods make the role of the transgres­ sor doubly hard, and the certainty of justice greater.

CRIMINAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1949 Class 1 7.3% increase Class 2 32.8% increase Class 3 10.7% increase

CASES CLEARED Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Average 1949 ~ • 86.2% 95.3% 85.7% 1948 63 % 92 % 95 % 86 %

VALUE OF PROPERTY STOLEN AND RECOVERED 1949 1948 Total value of property stolen . $139,574.73 $150,404.01 Total value of property recovered . 81,315.36 97,081.50 (a) Recovered (Delaware State Police) . 32,922.00 48,522.10 (b) Recovered (other jurisdictions) . 21,195.00 11,700.00 (c) Recovered otherwise ., . 12,800.00 13,623.00 Per cent of stolen property recovered . 58.0% 64.5% Value of property recovered for other other jurisdictions . 56,960.00 67,196.00 Total value of property recovered by Delaware State Police " . 104,280.36 138,704.50

RELEASED TO OTHER AUTHORITIES 1949 1948 Army 29 2 Connecticut ,...... 2 0 Court of Common Pleas ...... 3 5 Delaware Colony 3 3 Dover Police Department 0 6 Family Court 0 18 Federal...... 9 15 Ferris School 11 7 Florida...... 1 1 Georgia ,...... 1 0 Health Authorities 1 6 Illinois 1 0 Immigration Authorities 4 0 Juvenile Authorities...... 51 23 Kent County Jail...... 4 2 Kruse School 5 0 Lewes Police Department 0 1 Magistrate's Office 1 0 Maryland ,...... 34 47

151 Massachusetts 1 o Milford Police Department . . . . . 0 1 Navy 1 5 Newark Police Department ...... 0 1 New Castle Police Department...... 2 o New Castle County Workhouse , ,. 5 o New Jersey...... 1 4 New york...... 1 o North Carolina...... 1 () Parents 35 69 Parole Officer 1 o Pennsylvania 34 22 Seaford Police Department 1 o Smyrna Police Department 0 1 State Hospital 5 3 State Liquor Commission 0 1 Sussex County Prison 4 o Texas 1 o Virginia 5 3 Welfare Home 2 o Wilmington Police Department 34 67 Woodshaven School 8 4 302 317

DISPOSITION OF CRIMINAL ARRESTS

The following are dispositions of arrests exclusive of persons arrested for more than one offense, released to other authorities, released to juvenile authorities, etc. NOTE: In many cases, one person is responsible for more than one offense and is sentenced for all offenses committed at one trial, thereby causing a difference in the number of arrests made. \)96 Defendants had fines imposed totaling $15,622 177 Defendants were sentenced to 627 years, 6 months, and 2 days. Five life sentences are included. 1:31 Defendants were sentenced in default of fine 7 Defendants had sentence suspended 140 Defendants had cases Nolle Prossed by Attorney General 54 Defendants had cases withdrawn by complainant 58 Defendants had cases dismissed by Magistrate 52 Defendants had cases dismissed by Family Court 25 Material Witnesses were dismissed 15 Defendants dismissed bv Court of Common Pleas 2 Defendants dismissed by U. S. Treasury Dept. 120 Persons paroled for 76 years, :~ months 34 Persons paroled for an indefinite period :~:~ Persons committed to State Institutions 302 Persons released to other authorities Restitutions made to the amount of $972.16 152 AUTO THEFTS AND RECOVERIES Thefts increased during 1949, with 88 thefts, as com­ pared to 75 thefts during 1948.

---.1949 .1948 Number of car thefts (rural Del.) . 88 75 Total recovered (Item 1) . 85 64 (a) Recovered (State Police) . 68 87 (b) Recovered (other jurisdictions) . 15 12 (c) Recovered otherwise . 7 15 Per cent of stolen cars recovered (rural Del.) . 96.5% 85% Automobiles recovered for other jurisdictions . 88 89 Automobiles recovered for Wilmington Police Dept. 29 36 Total cars recovered by Delaware State Police .... 152 112

AUTO THEFTS BY TROOP TROOP 1 2 8 4 5 Total Thefts ...... 4 27 10 28 19 88 Recovered (State Police) ...... 4 19 9 22 16 70 Cleared by Arrest ...... 8 5 7 15 11 41 Recovered for Wilmington Police Dept... 12 15 1 1 0 29 Recovered (other jurisdictions) ...... 10 18 :3 5 7 88 Recovered by other jurisdictions...... 0 5 1 6 8 15 Cars remaining stolen ...... 0 8 0 0 0 8

OFFENSES COMMITTED BY JUVENILES & MINORS 1949 1948 Accessory to Murder 1 0 Aiding & Abetting 0 1 Adultery 0 2 Assault " '" 7 8 Assault & Battery " 17 21 Bastardy 1 1 Break. & Enter. & Larceny " 72 70 Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon 8 8 Disorderly Conduct " 29 80 Disturbing the Peace 0 1 Drunk & Disorderly ...... 5 1 Federal 17 18 Forgery " .. . . 6 1 Fugitive 89 :37 Gambling ...... 8 3 Indecent Exposure 2 2 Incorrigible 1 3 Larceny 84 80 Larceny Motor Vehicle 7 6 Malicious Mischief 18 14 Material Witness 4 16 Miscellaneous 9 14 Murder...... 2 0 Non-Support...... 0 2 Parole Violator 1 2 Prostitution ...... 0 1 Receiving Stolen Goods 0 2 153 Rape...... 0 1 Robbery...... 7 o Runaways 48 54 Threats 0 3 Toying Female Minor ...... 2 2 Trespassing 7 32 Vagrancy...... 1 7 Violation Ag-e Consent .. , ...... 1 o 394 428

MINOR & JUVENILE ARRESTS BY AGE Age 1949 1948 8-11 . 6 18 12 . 8 16 13 24 15 14 22 31 15 50 54 16 ...... 61 64 17 . 58 44 18 . 54 58 19 . 46 79 20 . 65 49 394 428

NIGHT PATROLS In 1947 the State Police began the checking of business places during the hours of darkness. This has resulted in the apprehension of thieves while in the act of committing crimes; as well as serving as a deterrent to the criminally minded. Successful apprehensions were made of thieves in six instances while patrolling and checking during 1949. Following is a table showing the number of places checked. TROOP NUMBER #1 . 35,788 #2 . 30,919 #3 . 14,625 #4 . 8,111 #5 . 8,042 TOTAL 97,485

LARCENY Larceny increased 8% during 1949, with 63.1 % of the cases being cleared. 1949 1948 Cases 754 Cases 698 Cleared 63.1% Cleared 61.4%

154 BY TROOPS TROOP 1 2 3 4 5 Total Number of cases ...... 129 183 129 177 136 754 Number of cases cleared 63 80 105 119 109 476 Percentage cleared 48.8 43.7 81.8 67.2 80.1 63.1 BURGLARIES This offense increased 14% over 1948, with 344 cases being reported as compared to 302 in 1948. A total of 49% of cases were cleared through investigation or arrest. 1949 1948 Cases 344 Cases 302 Cleared 49.1% Cleared 53.9% DELAWARE STATE POLICE CRIMINAL STATISTICS 1949

II'tJMIEIl .urD DISPOamOII or OnENSEI DfOWlf TO 'I'HE POLICE NUMBER OF PEIUCfrfI _AkRF:S:J'ED 1949 1948

155 BY TROOPS TROOP 1 2 3 4 5 Total ~ofcases ...... 63 127 42 53 59 344 Number of cases cleared 22 54 28 25 40 169 Percentage cleared ...... :34.9 42.5 66.6 47.1 67.7 49.1 HOMOCIDE INVESTIGATION State Police are called upon to investigate all sudden deaths to determine the possibility of foul play or criminal negligence. Nineteen (19) homocide cases and one (1) justifiable homocide* were investigated, as compared to fourteen (14) homocide cases during 1948. (1949) Troop Cases Cleared Arrests #1 ...... ~ 1 1 #2 ...... 4 2 2 #3 ...... 3 :3 4 #4 ...... 8 8 8 #5 ...... 3 2 2 19 16 17 * Under "National System of Crime Reporting," Justifiable Homocide is (a) killing by an officer in line of duty, (b) a killing by a civilian of an armed robber. BUREAU OF IDENTIFICATION Every criminal during the actual commission of a crime by stealth, is plagued by the fear of being caught in the act. Because of the pressure of this ever present fear, he operates under a nervous strain and a feeling of necessity for haste. This causes him to leave evidence through which he may be apprehended. Fingerprints at the scene of a crime are the first evi­ dence searched for and the best evidence with which to con­ front the criminal when he is apprehended. The State Po­ lice employ the latest scientific methods developed for the "lifting" of latent fingerprints, and several cases e8ch year are solved by this type of evidence. During 1949 finger­ print evidence was definitely associated with the perpe­ traters of crimes in nine cases. Fingerprint evidence was employed in obtaining a quick confession from a suspect who had burglarized a large self service market near Wilmington. The suspect was con­ vinced that his fingerprints on the window at the point of entrance were sufficient to cause his conviction. A murder case which occurred in Hockessin in Septem­ ber, 1949, will soon come to trial, and the evidence which is to be submitted will be augmented by latent fingerprint evidence that will aid in establishing the guilt of the crim­ inal.

156 157 IDENTIFICATION STATISTICS Wanted Circulars Received . 1233 Wanted Circulars Cancelled . 1255 Personal Fingerprint Cards Received . 3 Applicant Fingerprint Cards Received . 35 Criminal Fingerprint Cards Received . 2898 Troop # 1 161 Troop # 2 282 Troop # 3 297 Troop #4 421 Troop # 5 396 New Castle County Workhouse ...... 620 Sussex County Prison ...... 351 Bridgeville Police Department...... 3 Dover Police Department 261 Milford Police Department 1 Newark Police Department...... 22 New Castle Police Department...... 1 Rehoboth Police Department 36 Ferris Industrial School .. , ...... 45 Sheriff's Office, Dover, Delaware ...... 1 Criminal Fingerprints by Race and Sex . 2898 White Male 1378 Black Male 1326 White Female ...... 77 Black Female 117 Criminals with previous records . 1746 Rogues' Gallery . 626 White Race 320 Colored Race 306 Indices checked for other investigating agencies . 1838 Photographic Service . 3705

Department Negatives Photos Photostatic Name Developed Printed Copies Printed Headquarters 269 982 135 Troop #1 145 114 0 Troop #2 279 271 0 Troop #3 221 262 31 Troop #4 364 310 30 Troop #5 165 144 28 TOTALS 1416 2065 224

Stolen Firearms . 687 Firearms Registered . 102

TOTAL IDENTIFICATION DATA ON FILE AS OF DEC. 31, 1949 Criminal Fingerprints 51,362 Criminals with Previous Records 24,410 Personal Identification Fingerprints 16,504 Firearms Registered...... 2,713 Rogues' Gallery: White Race 8,886 Colored Race...... 7,373 158 DIVISION OF TRAINING AND PERSONNEL The Division of Training and Personnel was raised to the status of a major division this year, being administered by a Director holding the rank of Captain. There are three subdivisions under this Division: the Firearms Division, the Governor's Aide, and Publicity Releases. The responsi­ bilities of the Director of this Division are: 1. Recruit selection. 2. Recruit Training Schools. 3. In-Service Training Schools. 4. Specialized Training Schools. 5. Personnel Reports. 6. Release of general publicity. 7. Supervision of Firearms Division. 8. Supervision of Governor's Aide. During the year, thirteen (13) men were recruited as Troopers, each receiving twenty-two (22) weeks of recruit training and upon completion being assigned to police duty. This brought the uniformed personnel to the authorized strength of 120 men. One In-Service Training School was conducted in two sessions providing thirty-five (35) hours of classroom in­ struction for each man attending. Due to the jail break at the New Castle County Workhouse which occurred while the School was in session, only ninety-one (91) of the personnel were able to attend. The regular State Police Instructional Staff was aug­ mented by a number of well-known lecturers. Among them were: M. W. McFarlin, Special Agent in Charge, Baltimore Field Office, F. B. 1.; Colonel J. James Ashton and J. D. Reeder of the Delaware Safety Council; Agent Charles B. Rich, U. S. Secret Service; Bernard M. Nobis, Superintend­ ent, Ferris Industrial School; Colonel Edgar S. Stayer, Dela­ ware Liquor Commission; George E. Grotz, Field Represen­ tative, National Safety Council; Vernon J. Goertz and Charles J. Foster, Special Agents, F. B. 1.; Judge Elwood F. Melson, New Castle County Family Court; Colonel W. A. McWilliams, Chief Engineer, State Highway Department; Judge Ernest V. Keith, Juvenile Court, Kent and Sussex County: Elmer F. Cunningham, Managing Director, Journal­ Every Evening, Wilmington; and Arley B. Magee, Jr., At­ torney at Law.

159 The program was about evenly divided between crim­ inal and traffic activity and was supplemented by a number of training films and slides. A special school for the operation and care of Emerg­ ency Equipment was held in Dover during the summer months. The Emergency-Disaster Unit was thoroughly ex­ plained and demonstrated after which students were re­ quired to operate the various pieces of equipment. Eighty­ three (83) men availed themselves of this training; the sessions lasting four (4) weeks with each man receiving a minimum of six (6) hours' instruction. Training Statistics are as follows: DISPOSITION OF APPLICATIONS Rejected-Failed to meet qualifications...... 26 Rejected-Failed to pass examinations...... 11 Failed to report for examinations ...... 2 Employed as Troopers...... 13 Active applications on file ...... 36 Total Applicants 88 Recruit Training Number of Schools Basic, 1; Advanced, 1 . 2 Number of men attending . 13 Duration of sessions . 22 wks. Total hours training by instructors per man . 492% Total hours field and traffic training per man . 453% Number of examinations per man . 17 Number of instructors . 16 In-Service Training Number of schools conducted . 1 Number of men attending . 91 Duration of sessions . 2wks. Total hours training per man . 35 Number of instructors . 24 Number of examinations per man . 1 Special Training Emergency - Disaster Unit Number of men attending . 83 Duration of sessions . 4wks. Total hours training per man . (j Number of instructors . 1 Total hours of instruction . 132

FIREARMS DIVISION The purpose of the State Police Firearms Training Program is to make all personnel proficient in the use of the weapons provided by the Department for the protec­ tion of the public as well as the officers themselves. 160 Each month members of the Department are given in­ structions and practice in the Use of machine guns and riot guns. The Service Revolver is fired monthly over the Na­ tional Revolver and Pistol Course as well as the Practical Pistol Course. Individual scores are kept for each officer and from the data thus obtained faults are easily discerned and promptly corrected. Every three months, the entire personnel is instructed in the use of the Resuscitator and approved methods of re­ viving victims of drowning and asphyxiation. During the year, the Delaware State Police Pistol Team participated in matches held at Teaneck, New Jersey and Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. By virtue of an agreement between the Delaware Na­ tional Guard and the Delaware State Police, we have re­ ceived permission to construct a new Pistol Range on the property of the National Guard near New Castle, Delaware. This Range will have sixteen (16) movable targets and a Practical Pistol Course. It is now under construction and will be completed in the Spring of 1950.

1949 AVERAGE SCORE OF TROOPS Army L Practical Pistol Course Headquarters 280 86.3 Troop '1' ...... 267 82.2 Troop '2' 260 78.0 Troop '3' 258 76.:~ Troop '4' ...... 257 80.4 Troop '5' 259 76.0

161 I-' 0'> t>:I

GOVERNOR CARVEL SIGNS THE BILL CREATING THE RANK OF COLONEL AS SECRETARY OF STATE McDOWELL LOOKS ON SAFETY EDUCATION In every phase of traffic safety, education plays an es­ sential part. People must be informed about State and municipal regulations; they must know good driving prac­ tices; they must be guided by the engineering features of the road; they must be aware of the needs of enforcement and the penalties for violations - in short, they must be educated. The motorist who is well-informed and possesses good driving skills and attitudes will have fewer accidents and require less police supervision; he becomes his own en­ forcement officer. It is frequently said that no program, designed to minimize traffic tragedies, can hope to succeed without the support and full cooperation of the public. To meet these responsibilities, the State Police Department conducts ac­ tivities in the interest of such special groups as pedestrians, drivers, bicyclists, elementary and secondary school pupils. The public needs to be continuously reminded that what­ ever is done in traffic should be done safely and with the maximum degree of purpose. There is no less care demanded of the pedestrian than of the driver or any other group of individuals who may use the streets and highways. In line with the State Police educational program, 91 safety meetings were conducted in schools, civic groups, churches, and industrial plants, where approximately 7,000 persons were in attendance. Special holiday radio spot an­ nouncements were made by members of the Department calling attention to special hazards existing on these days of heavy traffic. Approximately 18,000 posters calling atten­ tion to new laws or unsafe practices were distributed to business places throughout the State. These posters are de­ signed to educate the public in new laws before enforcement is started and to bring about voluntary compliance with the law.

SUPPLY DIVISION The Supply Division, located at Headquarters, is under the direct supervision of the Executive Officer and is staffed by a Sergeant and one civilian clerk. The responsibilities of this Division are: 1. To procure and dispense all supplies and equip­ ment used by the Department.

163 2. To inventory departmental equipment and keep records of such inventory. 3. To print and distribute, whenever practical, departmental forms and other printed matter. 4. To care for equipment assigned to Headquar­ ters excepting firearms equipment. Supplies are obtained in the field from approved re­ quisitions which are filled from stock by the Supply Divi­ sion. All decisions on the quantity and kind of reserve sup­ plies are made by the Division and are based on the nature and extent to which they are used. By careful planning, waste is eliminated by purchasing only items of a type that are frequently used or essential. The State Police Garage, located at Dover, is respon­ sible for the maintenance of all State Police automotive equipment. It is staffed by six civilians, the chief mechanic and three mechanics being located at Dover, and a mechanic and apprentice located at State Road. This Subdivision is under the direct supervision of the Executive Officer. The staff of mechanics at Dover service and maintain all the automotive equipment of Troops '3', '4', and '5'; whereas, the staff at State Road maintain the automotive equipment assigned to Headquarters and Troops '1' and '2'. All major repairs are made at the garage in Dover, as it is equipped to handle repairs of that nature. Minor re­ pairs whenever practical, considering the transportation problem involved, urgency for immediate repair, etc., are made at the various Troops. A strict system of preventive maintenance is main­ tained whereby each vehicle is inspected every 2,000 miles. This system has proved very satisfactory, as it keeps the equipment at peak efficiency and often precludes the neces­ sity for major repairs. Likewise, an inspection of automo­ tive equipment is made at each Troop every three months for the purpose of seeing that such equipment is being properly cared for. The chief mechanic and the five men under his direc­ tion work a minimum of 262 man hours per week and are subject to call whenever the need for emergency repair exists. As of December 31, 1949, there were 61 departmental cars in operation of which 59 were radio equipped. These cars were operated a total of 2,359,558 miles. The cost of replacement parts installed during the year totaled $7,913.04.

164 Inspections are held every three months at which time all departmental buildings and equipment are thoroughly checked to ensure that all equipment is cared for properly. During the past year the Department purchased two additional E. & J. Resuscitators, making a total of five; each Troop having one for its exclusive use.

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